to know about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to know about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone has information about a particular topic or subject. For example, "My friend knows a lot about cars, so I asked him for advice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She just wanted to know about Ahmed.

Independent

She would want to know about distribution.

The New Yorker

"I want to know about you.

The New Yorker

What was there to know about him?

The New Yorker

"But nobody seems to know about this".

The New York Times

Carpenter wanted to know about their gumption.

The New York Times - Books

They want to know about tax dodgers.

The Guardian

I wanted people to know about it.

The New Yorker

He wanted to know about the sex.

The New Yorker

I want to know about their families.

The New York Times

They want to know about outcomes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to know about", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific information or subject you are referring to. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to know about" in overly broad contexts without specifying what the subject of knowledge is. For example, instead of saying "Everyone should know about things", specify "Everyone should know about basic first aid."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to know about" functions as part of a verb phrase, often following verbs like 'want', 'need', or 'have'. It introduces the subject or topic that one possesses or seeks to possess knowledge of. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to know about" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate awareness or understanding of a topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and common phrase. With a neutral register, it fits seamlessly into news, science, and everyday discussions. While highly prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts, as seen in examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it's crucial to ensure specificity to avoid vagueness. For alternatives, consider "to learn about", "to find out about", or "to be informed about", each adding a slightly different nuance to the expression of knowledge acquisition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to learn about

Focuses on the process of acquiring knowledge rather than just having it.

to find out about

Emphasizes the act of discovering or uncovering information.

to be informed about

Highlights the state of possessing information.

to get acquainted with

Suggests becoming familiar with something, often through experience.

to understand

Focuses on grasping the meaning or significance of something.

to delve into

Implies a deeper, more thorough investigation or study.

to explore

Suggests investigating a topic or subject in detail.

to examine

Focuses on careful and detailed inspection or analysis.

to study

Emphasizes the act of dedicating time and effort to learn about something.

to investigate

Implies a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts.

FAQs

How can I use "to know about" in a sentence?

You can use "to know about" to indicate awareness or understanding of a topic. For example, "It's important "to know about" the company's history before investing".

What's a formal alternative to "to know about"?

A more formal alternative could be "to be informed regarding" or "to possess knowledge of". For instance, "Executives need "to be informed regarding" the latest market trends".

Which is more appropriate, "to know of" or "to know about"?

"To know of" suggests a general awareness or acquaintance, while "to know about" implies a deeper understanding. "I "know of" that author" suggests you've heard of them. "I "to know about" that author" suggests you have read their works.

How does "to learn about" differ from "to know about"?

"To learn about" emphasizes the process of acquiring knowledge, whereas "to know about" indicates the state of possessing that knowledge. You "to learn about" something to then "to know about" it.